Heavy Asoj rain causes about Rs 20.1 million loss to paddy crop

Heavy rainfall from Asoj 8 to 11 caused paddy crop losses worth an estimated Rs 20.1 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment. About 229 hectares of paddy fields were affected, cutting production by nearly 438 metric tons.

Dr. Maniratna Aryal, senior agriculture economist and information officer at the ministry, said the figures are based on data received so far. By district, the damage was highest in Banke, at about 109 hectares, while Syangja saw the least, with less than 1 hectare affected.

In Gandaki province's Gorkha, Tanahun, Baglung and Syangja districts, about 17 hectares of farmland were affected, cutting paddy output by nearly 75 metric tons. In Koshi province, about 2 hectares were damaged, cutting output by roughly 4.5 metric tons and causing losses of around Rs 320,000.